Thousands of commuters were left stranded in the streets of Freetown on Monday as transport operators went on strike action. The drivers protested scarcity of diesel fuel and the 50 percent rise in fuel prices in past few weeks, and seemingly possible increase in the pump price of fuel.
This medium observed on Monday that some shops were closed because of the strike action and office workers and students were unable to go to workplaces and schools on time, especially those living in the far east and west of Freetown. Some schools canceled examinations because of the poor students turnout.
In Lumley private vehicles were seen being used as commercial transportation and few ‘keke’ were on the roads.
It should be noted that in three successive weeks the prices of fuel had been increased twice thus transportation fares from one point to another were also increased simultaneously.
The rise in transportation fares had seen Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) urging the Government of Sierra Leone to ensure offices increased salary of workers to cushion the brunt of the current economic and transportation challenges they are facing.
A taxi driver, Osman Koroma said that because of the strike, he decided to run a private vehicle as commercial, claiming that one fuel station in Aberdeen sold petrol at Le 20,000 per liter on Sunday which was contrary to the official price of Le, 15,000 per liter.
He pointed out that government should review the pump prices of fuel, adding that if prices are reviewed it would address the issue of fuel scarcity and high transport fares.
A student at the College of Medicines and Applied Health Science (COHMAS) in Jui, Kanja Ansumana who resides in Number Two River, said he was informed about the strike action on Sunday, which caused him to wake up at 5am to catch up with commercial vehicle heading to Jui.
He added that even though he woke up early, effort to board commercial vehicles proved futile thus causing him to be stranded.
“I was here since 5am and it’s now 9:40am, I am unable to board a vehicle. I’ve already missed my first lecture which started at 8am. At some point, a rickshaw (kekeh) rider asked him to pay Le30,000 as transport fares to Jui which I can’t effort,” Ansuman said.
he cited that the strike action had caused him financial loss.
Ansumana fends for himself. He said if the strike continues, it will have a devastating effect on him to pursue his education.
He admonished drivers to reconsider their action and think about the suffering masses.
Amadu Barrie, a student at Government Secondary School in Kingtom, said he had spent more than four hours on the street and could not board a vehicle. He said they are on second term exams.
The Drivers and Bike Riders Unions have disassociated themselves from the protest.
The Motor Driver and General Transport Workers Union appealed to its member to continue to provide services to the people of Sierra Leone. They attributed the fuel crisis to a global problem.
By George M.O. Williams